What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Portfolio Management position at National Life Group?
Portfolio Manager
Reporting to the PMO Vice President, the Data Portfolio Manager will play a key role as an advocate and partner with the business and Data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise portfolio of projects that deliver strategic advantages to meet growth and operational efficiency objectives.
The candidate will have broad solution delivery experience and will apply wide-ranging skills in methodologies such as business process re-engineering, full project lifecycle management (including iterative, waterfall, and agile), financial management, technology acumen (especially in Data Services), and integrating business strategy into delivery. The candidate will partner closely with the business and data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise; this work will link business and data technology concepts to deliver value to National Life. The right candidate will be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset to challenge the status quo to create value for the enterprise through innovative ideas, intellectual debate, and collaboration with teams for successful project delivery. The candidate will have executive presence and will be a “roll up the sleeves” individual to be personally engage in the work of the data project team, paying attention to details while modeling NLG’s Servant Leadership Tenets.
Project & Portfolio Management Responsibilities
Other rewards may include an annual bonus, quarterly bonuses, commissions, and other long-term incentive compensation, depending on the position. National Life offers a competitive total rewards package which includes: a 401(k) retirement plan match; medical, dental, and vision insurance; a company funded wellness account for director and below employees; 10 paid holidays; a generous paid time off plan (22 days of combined time-off for non-exempt employees and exempt employees have discretion in managing their time, including scheduling time off in the normal course of business, but in no event will exempt employees receive less sick time than required by state or local law); 6 weeks of paid parental leave; and 6 weeks of paid family leave after a year of full-time employment.
National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.
National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.
National Life Group
1 National Life Dr
Montpelier, VT 05604
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Reporting to the PMO Vice President, the Data Portfolio Manager will play a key role as an advocate and partner with the business and Data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise portfolio of projects that deliver strategic advantages to meet growth and operational efficiency objectives.
The candidate will have broad solution delivery experience and will apply wide-ranging skills in methodologies such as business process re-engineering, full project lifecycle management (including iterative, waterfall, and agile), financial management, technology acumen (especially in Data Services), and integrating business strategy into delivery. The candidate will partner closely with the business and data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise; this work will link business and data technology concepts to deliver value to National Life. The right candidate will be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset to challenge the status quo to create value for the enterprise through innovative ideas, intellectual debate, and collaboration with teams for successful project delivery. The candidate will have executive presence and will be a “roll up the sleeves” individual to be personally engage in the work of the data project team, paying attention to details while modeling NLG’s Servant Leadership Tenets.
Project & Portfolio Management Responsibilities
- Partner with PMO leaders to ensure compliance to established project management processes and technology processes; Perform analysis of non-compliances and identify improvement opportunities
- Create project and portfolio definitions/charters for overall delivery that include alignment to strategy, business benefits, financials, Data technology design and overall value creation for the enterprise
- Work with the business and Data technology teams to assess current capabilities and identify high-level requirements
- Translate internal client needs into actionable value by being a key member of the team that converts ideas into realistic and well-orchestrated project plans
- Collaborate with PMO leaders to optimize resource planning, resource acquisition and utilization of both employees and contractors
- Provide governance, reporting and oversight for the Data portfolio to all stakeholders and teams to ensure project goals are accomplished within approved timeframe, scope, and budget
- Use data effectively and accurately to manage the Data project portfolio for resources, timeframe, and scope as well as risks and limitations
- Be metrics driven and improve delivery benchmarks year over year. Responsible for measuring quality, timeliness and benefits realized across delivery of all projects in the portfolio
- Demonstrate command of the Data portfolio by maintaining detailed knowledge of the portfolio at all times and being prepared to talk about value, financials and progress with short notice or ad-hoc for various audiences, including Executive Leadership
- Diligently manage to the vision of the Data portfolio reminding all stakeholders of deviations from the goal and being able to have the foresight to see the “unknown” within the portfolio by connecting the dots, anticipating risks, and not leaving things to chance
- Demonstrate ability to “sell” Data initiatives; Understand what motivates key stakeholders, listen to their concerns, and address them effectively using influence
- Demonstrate ability to manage and reduce conflict; provide a calming force to project teams
- Invited by the project team / key business stakeholders to participate and advise on important project decisions
- Work closely with the Data technology team and PMO Team to understand, communicate and effectively manage the connections between business and technology within the portfolio
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Data technology, business partners and key stakeholders especially the executive sponsors of initiatives
- Accountable to ensure all stakeholders needed for the projects and the portfolio overall are informed and are a part of key decisions
- Promote the understanding of project management importance and be a brand ambassador for the project delivery team
- Responsible for mentoring project teams and providing real time feedback
- Accountable for the performance of projects within the Data portfolio
- Mentor team members in the development of business analysis and project management disciplines, applying industry best practices/standards for continuous improvement
- Work with PMO team to set annual performance objectives and actively communicate progress against those goals.
- PMP certification is required
- 10 plus years of relevant work experience, with a specific emphasis on strategic Data solution delivery
- Experience managing programs with budgets of $10 million
- Master’s degree in Strategy, Finance, Technology or Operations
- Certifications on Life Insurance, Annuities and Retirements from organizations widely recognized within the industry such as LOMA, ACU, AAPA are preferable
- Executive presence with excellent communication skills
- Knowledge of operations functions within life insurance or annuity business is preferred
- In-depth knowledge of Data technology terms and technical knowledge to interface with IT Data team
- Experience in Databricks, Snowflake, Tableau, Power BI preferred
- Financial acumen is required to report on budgets for large portfolios
- Understanding of industry trends & regulations to ensure accurate governance of projects and financial reporting
- Understanding of Business/IT projects to help in prioritizing certain initiatives over others
- Ability to view short and long-term impacts of different options and make decisions based on cost-benefit analysis, financial judgement, business acumen and experience
- Ability to forecast resource and financial trends based on prevailing environmental conditions
- Ability to anticipate, understand and communicate risks as well as manage change in a way that minimizes anxiety in the team and any losses for the company/business unit
Other rewards may include an annual bonus, quarterly bonuses, commissions, and other long-term incentive compensation, depending on the position. National Life offers a competitive total rewards package which includes: a 401(k) retirement plan match; medical, dental, and vision insurance; a company funded wellness account for director and below employees; 10 paid holidays; a generous paid time off plan (22 days of combined time-off for non-exempt employees and exempt employees have discretion in managing their time, including scheduling time off in the normal course of business, but in no event will exempt employees receive less sick time than required by state or local law); 6 weeks of paid parental leave; and 6 weeks of paid family leave after a year of full-time employment.
National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.
National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.
National Life Group
1 National Life Dr
Montpelier, VT 05604
Social Media Policy
Site Disclosure and Privacy Policy
